Practical observations on the venereal disease, and on the use of mercury / by Abraham Colles.

  • Colles, Abraham, 1773-1843.
Date:
1837
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Practical observations on the venereal disease, and on the use of mercury / by Abraham Colles. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    We, not unfrequently, meet with Chronic Tumors in the abdomen, varying in size from that of an orange to that of a foot-ball; these tumors are moveable, and are generally productive of some uneasy sensations, or of some slight de- rangements in the function of digestion. ‘These tumors often continue in an indolent state for years together; but, at times, they may he affected with some degree of uneasiness, and even of painfulness. When these tumors get into this state, we are called upon to use the most active means for removing it, and restoring them to their original quiescent state. General blood- letting, where it can be borne, and, in more delicate habits, local bleeding, should precede all other measures. Having premised this evacuation, the employment of mercury, in such manner as to induce a moderate ptyalism in the course of six or eight days, will be found of the most signal service. As soon as the salivary system acknowledges the action of the mercury, instantly does-the pain begin to subside ; and, after a very few days, ceases entirely. When I say, that if we do not quickly subdue this painful state of the tumor, we shall see it speedily produce considerable enlargement of the tumor, and consequent increase of the pre- ceding distress ; which, in most instances, are attended by dropsy, or by irritative fever, diarrhoea, and death; I say, when we con- template these results, we shall at once be able to appreciate the value of mercury, used in such cases. Yet it must be admitted, that mercury has no influence in reducing the size of the tumor, while it remains in the indolent state. ‘The same remarks apply to that painful condition which occasionally affects ovarian tumors. For here the use of mercury, preceded by general or local blood- letting, not only relieves the patient from present pain, but also prevents the very rapid increase of the tumor, which would otherwise immediately attend this painful state.